Air traffic controllers (ATCs) are to meet tomorrow to consider a Labour Court recommendation issued this evening aimed at ending a dispute which last week threatened to close down the State's main airports.
Impact trade union which represents the approximately 100 ATCs at Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports, said the recommendation contained "some positive elements" but that a meeting with the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) would be needed tomorrow.
The controllers, who work a 24-hour roster, are in dispute over what they say are excessive levels of overtime required to run the service safely. They withdrew from a voluntary overtime scheme last month, leading to flight disruption at all three airports and threatened an overtime ban from tomorrow and a 24-hour stoppage next Thursday.
Both actions were deferred to allow today's discussions at the Labour Court take place.
Air traffic has risen in recent years but there has been no increase controller numbers since 2001. In 2005, traffic through Irish airspace increased 27 per cent and is expected to grow a further 26 per cent by 2011.
The controllers say the system is wholly reliant on overtime leading to fatigue which compromises worker and passenger safety.
The IAA has begun a recruitment process, which was recognised by the Labour Court, but the new trainees will not be available until late next year. It is also attempting to recruit qualified controllers but they still require several months training.
An Impact spokesman this evening said: "Controllers are still considering the detail of the recommendation ahead of a series of meetings with members tomorrow in the Dublin, Shannon and Cork centres.
"Impact has also sought a meeting with the Irish Aviation Authority tomorrow (Tuesday) morning, with a view to establishing the timescale for recruitment of additional ATCs."
He said the Court had recommended an interim solution in which ATCs would be standby 12 times a year but only required to respond to a call-in on eight occasion over that period.
The union is understood to have sought 12 on-call days and six call-ins. It is asking for a manpower analysis to establish baseline requirements for ATC numbers and to agree recruitment policies, including the introduction of temporary contract air traffic controller positions. It is also proposing that recently retired controllers should be approached to act as instructors.
Today's development follows agreement yesterday on a €10 million cost-cutting plan at Aer Lingus subject to a ballot of Siptu's 1,800 members at the airline.
The dispute, which could have affected up to 20,000 passengers from tomorrow, centred on the company's attempt to implement more flexible work practices.
The deal struck last night secured existing pay levels for staff, while employees will have to work shifts of varying lengths and can be moved between duties, such as check-in and boarding, during a shift.
Despite the good news for passengers, Fine Gael transport spokeswoman Olivia Mitchell said the controversies do "irreperable damage" to tourism.
She urged those working in aviation to consider the effect of their actions on "the thousands of workers who depend on a constant and dependable flow of tourists into the country